Step 2

Step 3

Double-click on the "Background Pattern" layer to open the layer style window. Go to Pattern Overlay, and then click on the Pattern box and select the newly added Pattern01. Click OK.

Step 4

To make the background look a bit dark, we are going to add a Color Overlay black layer with 50% opacity. You have to double-click on Background Pattern layer and, once the layer style window appears, set the following values on Color Overlay section.

Blend Mode: Normal

Color: #000000

Opacity: 50%

2. How to Create the Text and Align It

Step 1

Type the word "GOLD" using the Anton font.

Font Size: 230 px

Tracking: -20 pt

Anti-aliasing mode: Smooth

Color: #ffffff

Step 2

Duplicate the GOLD text layer and name it "GOLD A" for the top layer and "GOLD B" for the bottom layer. We are going to get the 3D effect with both layers soon.

Using the Move Tool, select both text layers and the background layer and then click the align commandson the top menu to center the text.

Align Horizontal: Center

Align Vertical: Center

3.Styling the Main Layer

Step 1

We are going to work on the GOLD A layer. Go to Layer Style > Pattern Overlay, click on the Pattern box, and choose Pattern02 from the list. This texture will work as a base for the golden metal effect.

Step 2

To start creating the shining look, go to Layer Style > Bevel & Emboss and use the following values.

Style: Inner Bevel

Technique: Smooth

Depth: 675%

Direction: Up

Size: 190 px

Soften: 0 px

Angle: 90º

Use Global Light: Unchecked

Altitude: 30º

Now, we are going to add the previously installed "CustomContours.shc" file. Click on the Gloss Contour drop-down icon and then select the contour named "CustomContour01"

Now we can continue:

Anti-aliased: Checked

Highlight Mode: Linear Dodge (Add)

Highlight Color: #ebe89b

Highlight Opacity: 30%

Shadow Mode: Color Dodge

Shadow Color: #655f54

Shadow Opacity: 40%

Step 3

Go to LayerStyle > Inner Shadow and use the settings shown below to brighten up the edges.

Blend Mode: Vivid Light

Opacity: 50%

Color: #ffffff

Angle: 90º

Use Global Light: Unchecked

Distance: 1 px

Choke: 0%

Size: 0 px

Contour: Default

Anti-aliased: Checked

Noise: 0%

Step 4

Go to LayerStyle > Inner Glow and use the settings shown below to emphasize the brightened edges.

Blend Mode: Color Dodge

Opacity: 20%

Noise: 0%

Color: #ffffff

Technique: Softer

Edge: Checked

Choke: 0%

Size: 3 px

Now, we are going to add the previously installed "CustomContours.shc" file. Click on the Contour drop-down icon and then select the contour named "CustomContour02".

Now we can continue:

Anti-aliased: Unchecked

Range: 50%

Jitter: 0%

Step 5

Now we are going to emphasize the highlights to give more realism to the metal effect. Go to Layer Style > Satin and use the settings shown below.

Blend Mode: Color Dodge

Color: #fffae6

Opacity: 20%

Angle 90º

Distance: 150 px

Size: 230 px

Now, we are going to add the previously installed "CustomContours.shc" file. Click on the Contour drop-down icon and then select the contour named "CustomContour03".

Now we can continue:

Anti-aliased checkbox: Checked

Invert checkbox: Unchecked

Step 6

Now we are going to create a gradient overlay, which will give a softer gold effect. Open the Layer Style again and modify the Gradient Overlay setting to the following values.

Blend Mode: Darken

Opacity: 100%

Reverse: Unchecked

Style: Linear

Align with Layer: Checked

Angle 90º

Scale: 100%

Click on the Gradient Bar and make a gradient with these settings:

Tip: To create a new point in the gradient, you have to click under the gradient bar. Clicking each one of the color stops allows you to modify the Location and Color.

First Stop Color: #8e6617

First Stop Position: 0%

Second Stop Color: #876b2c

Second Stop Position: 25%

Third Stop Color: #997a35

Third Stop Position: 45%

Fourth Stop Color: #e0b545

Fourth Stop Position: 67%

Fifth Stop Color: #947632

Fifth Stop Position: 83%

Sixth Stop Color: #886218

Sixth Stop Position: 53%

Step 7

To achieve a realistic gold color, go to Layer Style > Color Overlayand set the following values.

Blend Mode: Hue

Color: #fff0c9

Opacity: 100%

4.Styling the Second Layer

Step 1

We’re going to work with the GOLD Blayer, so make sure you select it!

This is an important step to get the 3D central perspective effect.

Use the Control-T keyboard shortcut to transform the width by setting the Horizontal scale to 92%. Then press Enter.

Step 2

We are going to add the same pattern to match the texture and color of both text layers. Go to Layer Style > Pattern Overlay, click on the Pattern box, and choose Pattern02 from the list. This texture will work as a base for the 3D effect.

Now set the following values:

Blend Mode: Normal

Opacity: 100%

Scale: 100%

Link with Layer: Checked

Step 3

Now we are going to create a gradient overlay, which will give a deep 3D effect. Open the Layer Style again and modify the Gradient Overlay setting to the following values:

Blend Mode: Overlay

Opacity: 100%

Reverse: Unchecked

Style: Linear

Align with Layer: Checked

Angle 90º

Scale: 100%

Click on the Gradient Bar and make a gradient with these settings:

Remember: To create a new point in the gradient, you have to click under the gradient bar. Clicking each one of the color stops allows you to modify the Location and Color.

First Stop Color: #1a1b1e

First Stop Position: 0%

Second Stop Color: #525458

Second Stop Position: 15%

Third Stop Color: #83878c

Third Stop Position: 31%

Fourth Stop Color: #eff0ee

Fourth Stop Position: 41%

Fifth Stop Color: #ffffff

Fifth Stop Position: 46%

Sixth Stop Color: #797d82

Sixth Stop Position: 53%

Second Stop Color: #5d6063

Second Stop Position: 59%

Third Stop Color: #4e5057

Third Stop Position: 65%

Fourth Stop Color: #3c3e45

Fourth Stop Position: 72%

Fifth Stop Color: #4e5057

Fifth Stop Position: 82%

Sixth Stop Color: #1a1b1e

Sixth Stop Position: 100%

Step 4

To match the realistic gold color, go to Layer Style > Color Overlayand set the following values.

Blend Mode: Hard Light

Color: #443a1d

Opacity: 100%

5.Making the Shadows

Step 1

We are going to add some "rusty shadows" to the bottom text layer. Go to Layer Style > Inner Shadow.

Use the previously installed "CustomContours.shc" file. Click on the Contour drop-down icon and then select the contour named "CustomContour04".

Use the values shown below to finish the Inner Shadow:

Blend Mode: Soft Light

Color: #000000

Opacity: 20%

Angle: -41º

Use Global Light: Unchecked

Distance: 28 px

Choke: 100%

Size: 0 px

Anti-aliased: Checked

Noise: 100%

Step 2

We need to add some shadows to separate the text from the background. Go to Layer Style > Outer Glow and use the values shown below.

Blend Mode: Darken Color

Opacity: 80%

Noise: 20%

Color: #000000

Technique: Softer

Spread: 0%

Size: 30%

Contour: Default

Anti-aliased: Unchecked

Range: 50%

Jitter: 0%

Step 3

This is the final step! We are going to add some sharp shadows to get a fancy illuminated look and feel. Go to Layer Style > Drop Shadow and use the values shown in the image below.

Blend Mode: Normal

Color: #010101

Opacity: 20%

Angle: 90º

Use Global Light: Unchecked

Distance: 20 px

Spread: 100 px

Size: 5 px

Contour: Default

Noise: 0%

Layer Knocks Out Drop Shadow: Checked

Final Image

Great Job, You’re Done!

In this tutorial, I showed you how to create a realistic 3D golden metal text effect. I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial and can use what you’ve learned for your own projects.

Finally, I show you this flat but totally real golden text effect. Please remember, be creative in all your work!

There are plenty more metal 3D text effects at GraphicRiver, so check out the full range to find one you like.

You can also follow another tutorial to reinforce your new skills in making them. Remember, think about how it looks and try to replicate the effects. You can always make your own effects, but the first time it's a case of following another example to learn the right way.